Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has hit back at his Barcelona counterpart Hansi Flick, following the Blaugrana’s 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. The German manager was asked about the ‘ease’ of Barcelona’s run in the competition, having faced only low-quality sides, including Albacete, who knocked out Los Blancos. ‘Ask Real Madrid’, he commented.
Flick then went on to say that it was a comment intended to give honor and respect to the Segunda and Primera RFEF sides, rather than a shot at Real Madrid. Yet Arbeloa was clearly listening. When asked if he had seen Atletico beat Barcelona, he had the following to say.
“I have nothing to comment on. Ask Flick’s Barca,” Arbeloa replied with a solemn face.
Arbeloa in the relationship of Carvajal
Apart from the collapse of the Superleague, one of the main topics of conversation at Real Madrid was the frustration of Dani Carvajal due to his lack of minutes. They are reported to have sped up training on Tuesday, leaving things running smoothly. Arbeloa stated that he will be putting the team first.
“It’s normal for a player to be unhappy if he’s not playing the way he wants. Everyone wants to feel important. If he came to Real Madrid, it’s because he was important, and that’s important. I encourage everyone to work hard, and if you’re not happy, you can sit on the bench. But the team must always come before the individual.”
Especially for Carvajal, Arbeloa said he was getting closer to where he needed to be.
“Like everybody, I like to talk to them. We sit down, we talk; I like to know what they think. He’s getting better every time. He’s had another week of training… and the person I’m most interested in seeing him do his best is me. Obviously.”
‘I try to talk to everyone’ – Arbeloa on management style
Even though Arbeloa wasn’t willing to give too much away about his preferred tactical setup, he did explain that he was willing to get close to his players to get the best out of them.
“I’ve had a lot. Because that’s what I enjoy. It’s my way of working and how I understand my role. When I was a player, I loved having that relationship with the coach. And since I’m in this position, I try to talk to everyone about everything, although it’s obvious, especially about football.”
“But it’s always an open door for everyone. They know where I am. Sometimes they come to me, sometimes I call them. And that’s the most important thing for me, more than any leaks that may come from different places. I focus on having a good relationship with all my players, and the best closeness.”
“I always think it’s fun when they’re together. I enjoy things like that. I enjoyed them a lot when I was young…”
Real Madrid face Real Sociedad this weekend, with a chance to go up before Barcelona play on Monday night. La Real are part of La Liga at the moment, with seven wins from their first nine games under Pellegrino Matarazzo in 2026.
